Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a highly common hormonal imbalance
problem among women.
Some of its symptoms include unwanted hair growth, skin darkening in
specific areas of the body, androgen excess, acne and an irregular menstrual cycle. Most polycystic women actually begin to look a bit masculine from the correlation of symptoms.
Polycystic ovary syndrome, also known as PCOS has also been known to lead to obesity and then consequently insulin
resistance and type 2 diabetes.
Polycystic ovary syndrome may begin as early as one’s teenage years
until adulthood. Tracking down and learning about the symptoms is a large step to fixing the problem immediately.
Some
females with PCOS would have tiny cysts on their ovaries—some would have more
than others—but they are not malignant so having them removed is not imperative. However, some females have
reported to experiencing tolerable abdominal comfort. This could easily be remedied with a hot water bottle, loose
clothing around the middle section (avoid belts, tight-waist clothes) and some mild painkillers.
There is no known source for polycystic ovary
syndrome yet, however it has been attributed to genetics, as well as environmental, emotional and
psychological factors.
PCOS and its effects actually result from interplay in the body and
the symptoms. The woman’s insulin system stops functioning normally—there is insulin resistance as well as
heightened insulin levels. Thus, this reaction results to impaired glucose tolerance. This has been believed to
elevate the production of androgens, which results to the obvious masculine features that develop. The
luteinising hormone (LH) also increases with PCOS. LH is released from the pituitary gland and is the hormone
responsible for stimulating the ovaries. This is where the ovary syndrome in adults worsens.
While polycystic ovary syndrome could result to some self-esteem
issues in younger women, it manifests as a pregnancy problem for female adults. Current statistics reveal that 20
to 30 percent of women have PCOS.
With polycystic ovary
syndrome, LH is too abundant, much higher than the follicle-stimulating hormones (FSH). FSH manages the
reproductive processes of the body. During regular menstruation, LH surges, however, in the case of PCOS, the
levels are already too high, leaving no room for the hormonal rush. Hence, ovulation does not occur.
Without ovulation, a woman’s egg cannot be fertilized. As one can
see, polycystic ovary syndrome affects a woman’s ability to conceive. PCOS and pregnancy are oftentimes connected.
While some PCOS-stricken women have gotten pregnant and given birth normally, most have a difficult
time.
Once the symptoms have been recognised, polycystic ovary syndrome is
diagnosed through various tests. These include history-taking (tracking down the female’s menstrual cycle),
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), laparoscopy (a tube with a camera is inserted inside the body), serum and blood
checks. There are several treatments for polycystic ovary syndrome. The
most common is the birth control pill which neutralises the reproductive hormone levels. Physicians would recommend
the pill for non-sexually active women. Most treatments actually involve targeting the symptoms one by one, once
again balancing the hormone levels of the body.
The high levels of insulin and obesity would be tempered through a
shift in diet. A diet with a low glycemic index is recommended. On the other hand, progesterone therapy is
used to force menstruation, which is another symptom. Water pills and skin creams are advised for the acne.
Medically assisted treatments may also be used to counter other symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome. There is
medication to induce ovulation as well as treatments to deal with the type 2 diabetes.
Others would suggest a change in lifestyle, along with other medical treatments. In
fact, the Mayo Clinic, a non-profit team known for its research and innovative techniques, suggest a long term
program for females with PCOS. This includes visiting the doctor regularly. Treating polycystic ovary syndrome is
not as simple as patching up a wound with a band-aid. With the large number of effects involved, a doctor would
have to regularly check blood pressure, weight levels, pancreas, among others—as these symptoms could lead to
other, worse disease.
Changing eating and lifestyle habits could also do wonders for
polycystic ovary syndrome, especially if it was derived from the environment. Obesity worsens insulin resistance
and diabetes as well as hypertension so it is best to counter it immediately. Also, since so much has already been
targeted by PCOS, it is important to keep the rest of our body healthy and active to avoid more problems in the
future. Eat food with complex carbohydrates and fibers—this slows the breakdown of sugar which would manage the
insulin and glucose levels.
As a last resort, in some cases, surgery is also advised. Ovarian
drilling is a minor type of surgery where a camera-laden tube provides images of the female’s ovaries. The
physician uses lasers to burn holes into the follicles so as to induce ovulation. Sometimes, hyperstimulation
(which is dangerous to normal women) is also used for treatment.
While polycystic ovary syndrome is not fatal in itself, the symptoms
it carries are incredibly dangerous. So, treatment is not something to be delayed until it is convenient. Untreated
cases have even led to cancer.
Additional Articles:
- Pcos and Pregnancy
If you suffer from PCOS, you know how difficult that PCOS and pregnancy can be. Sometimes, people feel that it can be nearly impossible to deal with PCOS and pregnancy.
- What is Pcos
What Is Pcos - PCOS is an acronym for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and is a hormonal disorder effecting an estimated of 7% of all expecting ladies.
- Pcos Weight Loss
There are already a lot of woman affected with PCOS, weight loss is the only ideal solution according to many experts and researches. A lot of women with PCOs have been found out to be obese.
- Symptoms of Pcos
Do you need to know about the symptoms of PCOS? Polycystic ovary syndrome is a very common condition that affects women and is caused by a disorder of the endocrine system.
- Getting Pregnant with Pcos
Unlike popular belief, getting pregnant with PCOS is not an impossible task but it can tend to get a little difficult for most women.
- Treatment for Pcos
It is very typical for women who are seeking treatment for pcos to also have symptoms not unlike those common in diabetes patients.
- Diet for Pcos
If you have recently been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome then you may also be wondering about a specific diet for Pcos
- How to Get Pregnant with Pcos
Many women who are having issues conceiving a child may also wonder how to get pregnant with pcos.
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Symptoms
Women with PCOS experience different forms of polycystic ovary syndrome symptoms. PCOS is a type of hormonal problem experienced by women that could result to infertility.
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